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Mite bites: symptoms and treatment
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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In the United States, most people get bites from different types of Ixodidae mites that attach to a person and, if not removed, feed on it for several days.
Bites of ticks often occur in the spring and summer, they are painless. Most bites have no complications and do not transmit infectious diseases. The bite causes the formation of a red papule and can cause a hypersensitivity or granulomatous reaction to a foreign body. When biting the mite Ornithodoros coriaceus (pajaroello) locally formed vesicles, then pustules, with the rupture of which remains ulceration, a scab is formed, while observing local edema and pain of varying severity. Similar reactions occur also with the bites of other ticks.
[Treatment of tick bites
To reduce the cutaneous immune response and the probability of transmission of infection, the tick must be removed as soon as possible. If the tick is still attached when the patient enters the hospital, it is best to remove the mite and all parts of his mouth from the skin with a blunt, medium-sized clamp with curved jaws. The clamp is placed parallel to the skin to firmly grasp the parts of the tick's mouthpiece as close as possible to the skin. Care should be taken to avoid damaging the patient's skin and not tear off the body of the mite. The clamp should be pulled slowly, removing from the skin and not rotating it around the place of bite. A clamp with curved jaws is better, because the outer arc of the jaw can be close to the skin, while the handle remains far enough away from it and therefore the clamp is easier to hold. Parts of the mouth mite device that remain in the skin and are visible to the naked eye should be carefully removed. However, if the presence of parts of the oral device is doubtful, then attempts at surgical removal can cause additional trauma greater than the trauma caused by the remaining small parts of the jaws. Leaving parts of the mouthpiece at the site of the bite does not lead to transmission of the infection, it can only prolong skin irritation. Other methods of tick removal, such as bringing a burning match (which can damage the patient's tissue) or insect repelling with petroleum jelly (which is ineffective), is not recommended.
After removing the mite, an antiseptic is applied. The degree of swelling of the tick depends on the duration of its attachment to the skin. In the presence of local swelling and skin color change, antihistamines are prescribed inside. Sometimes, the mite is kept for laboratory examination to detect the causative agent of the tick-borne disease characteristic of the geographical region where the bite occurred. Antibiotic prophylaxis is not recommended, but in the areas of high prevalence of Lyme disease, some experts consider it appropriate (200 mg of doxycycline inside once) in the case of Ixodidae bites .
Bites of Pajaroello mite should be cleaned, moistened with Burov's fluid at 1:20 dilution, surgical treatment as necessary. Glucocorticoids are used only in severe cases. At the stage of ulcers, infection is possible, but in the treatment they are most often limited to local antiseptics.
Tick-borne paralysis
Tick-borne paralysis is rare, ascending flaccid paralysis develops after a bite of toxin-releasing ticks Ixodidae, parasitizing a person for several days.
In North America, some species of Dermacentor and Amblyomma cause tick paralysis caused by a neurotoxin secreted into the mite's saliva. In the early stages of feeding the mite, there is no toxin in the saliva, therefore paralysis develops only when the mite parasitizes for several days or more. Paralysis can cause even one tick, especially if it sticks to the back of the skull or near the spine when bitten.
Symptoms include anorexia, drowsiness, muscle weakness, coordination disorders, nystagmus and ascending flaccid paralysis. Bulbar or respiratory paralysis may develop. Differential diagnosis is carried out with Guillain-Barre syndrome, botulism, myasthenia gravis, hypokalemia and a tumor of the spinal cord. Paralysis is quickly reversible after removal of the tick (or mites). If respiratory disorders occur, if necessary, oxygen therapy or respiratory support is performed.
Bites of other arthropods
The most common bites of arthropods, in addition to ticks, in the United States include bites of sand flies, flies, deer flies, midges, flies, mosquitoes, fleas, lice, bedbugs and water bugs. All these arthropods, except bug-predators and water bugs, also suck blood, but none of the species is poisonous.
The composition of the saliva of arthropods is not the same, and the lesions caused by bites range from small papules to large ulcers with edema and acute pain. It is also possible to develop dermatitis. The most severe consequences are due to a hypersensitivity reaction or infection; for predisposed people, they can be fatal. In some people, flea allergens can cause respiratory allergy even without a bite.
Knowing the location and structure of blisters and ulcers, sometimes you can judge the most arthropod. For example, bite flies are usually located on the neck, ears and face; flea bites can be numerous, mainly located on the legs and feet; bug bites, often located on the same line, are usually localized at the waist.
The bite is cleaned, if there is itching, an antihistamine ointment or cream with glucocorticoids is applied. In severe hypersensitivity reactions, appropriate treatment is prescribed.